Google Charter Bus Struck and Killed Woman in Saratoga

A Google charter bus traveling in Saratogastruck and killed a woman last week. The woman was walking to a bus stop when the bus reportedly turned the corner and hit her. The accident occurred at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and Athletics Way on the campus of West Valley College in Saratoga. The bus is owned by Storer Coachways and is used to transport employees to and from the parking lots at the community college.

Weather Conditions May Have Played a Role

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. However, initial reports indicate that there were strong winds and heavy rain at the time of the accident, which happened at 5:15 PM on January 3, 2017. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The bus company issues a statement of condolence to the woman’s family. It is not known whether the woman was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.

Drivers are Required to Drive Safely

Regardless of the road or weather conditions, drivers must always drive in a safe manner. If the weather creates a dangerous situation, a driver should reduce speed or pull over until it is safe to drive. In this case, we do not know the conclusion of the investigation, but the driver may have been negligent in the crash.

Accident Investigation

When an accident occurs, police and others must perform an investigation to determine the exact cause and who is responsible. Police interview the driver along with any witnesses to the incident. If there are any video cameras in the area, they may review the recorded footage. Details of the incident are noted and photos are usually taken. In some cases, accident reconstruction is necessary to better learn which driver was at fault. In this case, the driver hit a pedestrian.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

Pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing streets in a crosswalk. If they are not at a corner or location that has crosswalks, the pedestrian must yield to drivers. In those instances, the pedestrian has to wait to enter the roadway until it is safe to do so. In this case, the woman may have been in the crosswalk at the time of the accident, although this is not yet clear. The police may be better able to determine the woman’s exact position after carefully evaluating the details of the accident.

Legal Help for Victims of Vehicle Accidents

Victims of vehicle accidents, or their relatives, may be able to take legal action against a driver who was negligent. If a driver was negligent and caused serious injuries or death, the victim may be entitled to compensation for damages. This may include costs of medical care, money for pain and suffering, and lost wages. If the victim died as a result of the accident, the victim’s family may collect funeral expenses, and compensation for the loss of life.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in an accident, the experienced legal team atBrod Law Firm can help. Contact us today at800-427-7020 for a free consultation.